Handicap rail palm assist system and method

ABSTRACT

A handicap palm assist system includes a first shell, and a second shell, and at least one connector for removably attaching a first shell to the second shell. The first shell and the second shell are sized to fit a handrail, such as for disabled individuals. In some embodiments, the handicap palm assist system includes a handrail. The first shell and second shell are sized to removably attach to the handrail.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments described herein relate to a handicap rail palmassist system and a method.

BACKGROUND

Handicap rails are placed in various places. Handicap rails help ahandicapped person or when that is in a weakened condition to stand. Insome cases the handicap rail is used by a person to stabilize theirposition and prevent falls. Falls many times lead to other healthproblems. In other instances, the person is unable to get from a sittingposition to a standing position using a cylindrical rail. Most of therails include a knurled or slightly roughened surface to prevent auser's hand from slipping. However, if a user has a less than stronggrip then that person's hand may still slip. In addition, when in aweakened state, the actual placement of the hand on a handrail becomesmost critical. A stronger person can grip a handrail in a general spotto get an upper body assist in moving from a sitting position to astanding position. When a person is weakened, they just do not have asmuch finger strength to pull themselves to the standing position.Generally, placement of the hand must be at just the right position andthe hand can not slip for a weaker person to move from a sittingposition to a standing position.

Many times, a major portion of the surface of the handicap rail istreated so that it can be more easily gripped or grasped. The surface ofthe handicap rail may be knurled in one instance. In another instance,the surface may be otherwise roughened to make it easier to hold a grip.In still other instances, a tape is applied to the major surface of thehandicap rail. When a person is in a somewhat weakened state, it can bedifficult or nearly impossible to maintain a grip on the handicaphandrail even if it has been treated with a grip enhancing surfacetreatment, such as knurling or the like. When a user's grip is notmaintained, it is difficult to get or maintain the needed leverage touse the handicap rail effectively. For example, a user might not be ableto move from a sitting to a standing position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes a mechanism that locks onto a handrail at aselected position. The invention may be locked permanently to oneposition or can be adjustable from one position to another along ahandrail. If adjustable, it grips the handrail sufficiently to allow themechanism to stay in position. The invention is a collar or cuff thatattaches to the cylindrical body of the handrail. The collar or cuffgenerally attaches to the roughened portion of the handicap rail. Thecollar or cuff attaches to the cylindrical body at a specific positionalong the handicap rail. If a user has difficulty in maintain his or hergrip, the cuff or collar acts as a stop which limits the motion of theuser's hand. The cuff or collar is placed at a position that providesoptimum or nearly optimum leverage. The user's hand may slip, but isstopped by the cuff or collar so that the person can then place theappropriate forces on the handicap rail to go from a sitting to astanding position without slipping. The cuff or collar prevents theuser's hand from slipping down the rail. The cuff or collar acts on theedge of one's hand and acts in the same direction as a fiction force tostop the hand at the necessary position. The user can apply the strengthof his or her fingers and his or her palm to the cuff or collar.

The cuff can be placed in a universal position in public applications,such as public restrooms, hospitals, grocery stores, department stores,doctor's offices, rehabilitation centers or the like. In a public place,most of the users will be able to use the cuff or collar to stop theirhands so that they can apply the appropriate forces to the handrail todo their desired maneuver. Of course, when placed in a publicapplication, many times the placement is less than optimal for manypeople. The placement is probably nearly optimal for some who areaverage. This may not work for a few and may require more energy thanwhen the cuff or collar is optimally placed for most. In public settingswhere people of many sizes are using the handrail, it is contemplatedthat more than one collar can be placed on the handrail to accommodatethe average smaller user, the average user, and the average taller orbigger user. Multiple collars can be added to accommodate many possibleusers.

The cuff or collar can also be used in private settings. For example,the cuff may be added to a handicap rail in a user's home or apartment.In this instance, the collar or cuff can be more accurately placed for aparticular user so that the user can more easily move from a sittingportion to a standing position with greater ease. The collar might beplaced closer to some users so that the hand slips to a stop positionwhere the least amount of power is needed to do a desired maneuver. Themost optimal position can vary based on the size of the person, theirparticular strengths and the like. Generally, the collar or cuff can bemoved to different positions based on a scientific estimate for theoptimum position. Ultimately, adjustments will have to be made todetermine where a person can apply the most power while being the mostcomfortable. There may even be a tradeoff there between comfort andpower. In some embodiments, the collar is moved around on a trial anderror basis until the user finds a comfortable position where the usercan place forces on the handicap rail to accomplish certain desiredmaneuvers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a palm assist system attached to ahandicap rail, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a backside view of the palm assist system according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front side view of the palm assist system according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cut away view along cut line A-A in FIG. 2, of the palmassist system, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a palm assist system 100 attached to ahandicap rail 200, according to an example embodiment. The handicap rail200, in one embodiment, is sold with a palm assist system 100. Theinvention includes a mechanism that locks onto or attaches to a handrail200 at any of a plurality of selected positions. The invention may belocked permanently to one position or can be adjustable from oneposition to another along a handrail. If adjustable, it grips thehandrail sufficiently to allow the mechanism to stay in position. Theinvention is a collar or cuff 100 that attaches to the cylindrical bodyof the handrail 200. The collar or cuff 100 generally attaches to theroughened portion 210 of the handicap rail 200. The collar or cuff 100can also be referred to as a palm assist system 100. The collar or cuff100 attaches to the cylindrical body at a specific position along thehandicap rail 200. Certain users can have difficulty in maintaining hisor her grip on surfaces such as the surface of the handicap handrail200. The cuff or collar acts as a stop which limits the motion of theuser's hand. The cuff or collar 100 is placed at a position on the thatprovides optimum or nearly optimum leverage for the user. Even if theuser's hand slips, it is stopped by the cuff or collar 100 so that theperson's hand is still in a position where the user can place theappropriate forces on the handicap handrail 100 to go from a sitting toa standing position without slipping, for example. The cuff or collar100 prevents the user's hand from continuing to slip along the handicaphandrail 200. The cuff or collar 100 places a force on the edge of one'shand. The force produced by the cuff or collar 100 acts in the samedirection as a fiction force to stop the hand at the necessary position.With the hand stopped at the correct position, the user can then place aforce on the handrail which is transverse to the axis of the handrail.The hand, when properly positioned, can then be used to push on the barso the user can execute various desired maneuvers.

One of the advantages of the handicap rail palm assist system 100 isthat it is more safe to use, especially for a person with a weakenedgrip. The handicap rail palm assist system 100 essentially holds thepatient's hand in place so that it does not slip as the user pushes offthe rail or pulls on the rail, depending on the orientation of the rail200. It prevents a user from slipping along the rail and dropping in anuncontrolled fashion. It also prevents falls which can be catastrophicfor some users.

The cuff 100 or handicap palm assist 100 can be placed in a universalposition in public applications on handicap rails, such as in publicrestrooms, hospitals, grocery stores, department stores, doctor'soffices, rehabilitation centers or the like. In a public place, most ofthe users will be able to use the cuff or collar to stop their hands sothat they can apply the appropriate forces to the handrail to do theirdesired maneuver. Of course, when placed in a public application, manytimes the placement is less than optimal for many people. The placementis probably nearly optimal for some who are average. This may not workfor a few and may require more energy than when the cuff or collar 100is optimally placed for most.

In another embodiment, a plurality of cuffs 100 or handicap palm assists100 can be positioned on a handicap handrail. The plurality of cuffs orhandicap palm assists can be positioned on a single rail to accommodatemore users of various sizes. For example, one handicap palm assist 100could be placed for users that are smaller than the average user, andanother handicap palm assists 100 could be placed on a handrail forusers that are larger than the average user. Yet another handicap palmassists 100 could be placed on the same handrail for the average user.In this embodiment, a high percentage of users could use one of theplurality of handicap palm assists 100 attached to a handrail. Ofcourse, the handicap palm assists 100 will not be optimally placed forall but most users will be able to help themselves even though notoptimally.

The cuff or collar 100 can also be used in private settings. Forexample, the cuff 100 may be added to a handicap rail in a user's homeor apartment. In this instance, the collar or cuff 100 can be moreaccurately placed for a particular user so that the user can more easilymove from a sitting position to a standing position. The collar 100might be placed closer to some users so that the hand slips to a stopposition where the least amount of power is needed to do a desiredmaneuver. The most optimal position can vary based on the size of theperson, their particular strengths and the like. Generally, the collaror cuff 100 can be moved to different positions based on a scientificestimate for the optimum position. Ultimately, adjustments will have tobe made to determine where a person can apply the most power while beingthe most comfortable. The adjustments can also be made to a positionwhere the user is able to deliver adequate power to do a maneuver. Theremay even be a tradeoff there between comfort and power. In someembodiments, the collar is moved around on a trial and error basis untilthe user finds a comfortable position where the user can place forces onthe handicap rail to accomplish certain desired maneuvers.

FIG. 2 is a backside view of the palm assist system according to anexample embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front side view of the palm assistsystem according to an example embodiment. FIG. 4 is cut away view alongcut line A-A in FIG. 2, of the palm assist system, according to anexample embodiment. Now referring to FIGS. 2-4, the parts of thehandrail palm assist 100 will be further detailed. The palm assistsystem 100 includes a first shell 110 and a second shell 120. The firstshell includes a first opening 111 and a second opening 112. The secondshell includes a third opening 121 and a fourth opening 122. At leasttwo of the openings 111, 112, 121, 122 are threaded to receive athreaded fastener, 131, 132. In some instances, the openings on one ofthe shells are threaded. In another embodiment, the one of the openingsin one shell is threaded and one of the openings in the other shell isthreaded. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the openings 111, 112 pass through theshell 110. The openings 121, 122 terminate before passing through theshell 120. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-4, the openings 121 and122 are threaded. In still another embodiment, all the openings 111,112, 121, 122 are threaded.

In one embodiment, the shells are symmetrically shaped. Each includes anattachment surface which is fit to a handrail 200. The handrails canhave different diameters. Some may be smaller, such as 1.5 inches indiameter. Others may be bigger, such as 2.0 inches or even 2.5 inches indiameter. The outer surface of shell 110 includes a bulbous portion 114and a rim 116, 117 near or at each of the ends of the first shell 110.Similarly, the outer surface of shell 120 includes a bulbous portion 124and a rim 126, 127 near or at each of the ends of the first shell 110.It is contemplated that the outer surfaces of the shell 110 is made of amaterial which can be easily cleaned. For example, as shown, the outersurface of the shell is smooth to enhance to ability to clean anddisinfect. The shells 110 are also made of a cleanable material, such asstainless steel.

The inner surfaces of each shell 110 and 120 is dimensioned so that itcan attach to the surface of a hand rail 200. For example, if thehandrail 200 has an outer diameter of 1.5 inches, the inner surface withbe shaped and have a inner diameter that matches or is substantially thesame. In addition, the inner surface may include a surface treatmentthat increases the coefficient of friction between the shell 110, 120and the handrail 200. In some embodiments, the inner surface can have anelastomeric surface that compresses and grips the handrail 200. In otherembodiments, the shells 110, 120 may have inner surfaces that have sprayon enhancements. Fasteners connect the first shell 110 to the secondshell 120. The fasteners are tightened to the point where the shells110, 120 will not slip with respect to the handrail or slip with respectto one another. In this way, the first shell 110 and the second shell120 form a collar or cuff 100 which will stop a person's hand whengripped. The openings 111, 112 align with the openings 121, 122 so thatone fastener can go through the openings 111, 121 and another fastenercan go through openings 112, 122. The fasteners are sized so as not toprotrude from any of the openings 111, 112, 121, 122. Furthermore, theopenings include a recess so that the heads of the fasteners will notprotrude. This is a safety feature which prevents users from cuttingthemselves or otherwise injuring themselves on the fasteners. Thefasteners may also be made of stainless steel.

As shown in FIG. 1, one of the collars, cuffs or handicap palm assists100 is attached to a handrail 200. It is contemplated that there may beapplications where two cuffs, collars or palm assists 100 are used. Forexample, there may be two users that have different leverage pointswhich are so different that each needs a separate palm assist, cuff, orcollar 110. It is further contemplated that two palm assists, cuffs orcollars could be used to bracket the movement of a user's hand. In otherwords, two cuffs, palm assists, or collars can be used to prevent auser's hand from slipping along the handicap handrail. 200 in eitherdirection along the length of the handrail 200.

It is contemplated that the cuff or collar could be sized differently tofit different sized handrails. Furthermore, it is contemplated that thedesign could differ to fit various user's hands. The size could be sizedto the hands of the user. Different dimensions could also be used fordifferent sized handrails.

In summary, a handicap palm assist system includes a first shell, asecond shell, and at least one connector for removably attaching a firstshell to the second shell. The handicap palm assist system also includesa handrail. The first shell and second shell sized to removably attachto the handrail. The first shell has a first concave portion having aninside diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of thehandrail. The second shell has a second concave portion having an insidediameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the handrail.The first shell and the second shell place a force on the outsidediameter of the handrail when connected to one another. When the twoshells are loosely connected to one another, they can be moved along thehandrail to adjust the position of the palm assist with respect to thehandrail. Once in position, the two shell connectors can be tightened.This tightens the two shells with respect to one another and withrespect to the handrails with sufficient force that the two shells donot move with respect to the handrail In one embodiment, the first shelland the second shell are symmetrical. In another embodiment, the concaveportion of the first shell, and the concave portion of the second shellfurther include a friction material. The friction material increases thecoefficient of friction between the shells and the handrail so lessforce is needed to connect the two shells to the handrail to preventslippage. In one embodiment, the outer surface of at least one of thefirst shell and the outer surface of the second shell includes a surfacetreatment to enhance gripping of the shell. Of course, the surfacetreatment, in some embodiments, should be cleanable. In anotherembodiment, the first shell and the second shell are asymmetrical. Instill another embodiment, one the first shell and the second shellincludes a handle. In yet another embodiment, at least one of the firstshell and the second shell includes a screw opening therein. The screwopening accepts a set screw which can be tightened so that one end ofthe set screw contacts the handrail.

A method for adding to the assistance provided by a handrail includesplacing a first concave surface of a first shell portion onto ahandrail, placing a second concave surface of a second shell portiononto a handrail, and connecting the first shell to the second shell toform a handicap palm assist unit so that the first shell and the secondshell are substantially immovable with respect to the handrail. Themethod also can include adjusting the position of the first shell andsecond shell along the length of the handrail. The method also includesadjusting the attachment point and position of the first shell andsecond shell along the length of the handrail to provide additionalleverage for a user when using the handrail. In some embodiments, morethan one set of shells are attached to the handrail. In one embodiment,the first shell portion and the second shell portion are substantiallysymmetrical while in another embodiment, the first shell portion and thesecond shell portion are asymmetrical. In one embodiment of the method,the larger of the first shell portion and the second shell portion isplaced on the handrail to provide additional leverage for a user. Thelarger of the first shell portion can be placed above the second shellportion on the handrail or can be placed below the second shell portionon the handrail.

This has been a detailed description of some exemplary embodiments ofthe invention(s) contained within the disclosed subject matter. Suchinvention(s) may be referred to, individually and/or collectively,herein by the term “invention” merely for convenience and withoutintending to limit the scope of this application to any single inventionor inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. The detaileddescription refers to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereofand which shows by way of illustration, but not of limitation, somespecific embodiments of the invention, including a preferred embodiment.These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those ofordinary skill in the art to understand and implement the inventivesubject matter. Other embodiments may be utilized and changes may bemade without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter.Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may besubstituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure isintended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of variousembodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and otherembodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to thoseof skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

What is claimed:
 1. A handicap palm assist system comprising: a firstshell; a second shell; at least one connector for removably attaching afirst shell to the second shell.
 2. The handicap palm assist system ofclaim 1 further comprising a handrail, the first shell and second shellsized to removably attach to the handrail.
 3. The handicap palm assistsystem of claim 1 further comprising a handrail, the first shell havinga first concave portion having an inside diameter substantially equal tothe outside diameter of the handrail, the second shell having a secondconcave portion having an inside diameter substantially equal to theoutside diameter of the handrail, the first shell and the second shellplacing a force on the outside diameter of the handrail when connectedto one another, wherein the two shells can be moved along the handrailwhen loosely connected, and can be tightened to one another withsufficient force that the two shells do not move with respect to thehandrail
 4. The handicap palm assist system of claim 1 where the firstshell and the second shell are symmetrical.
 5. The handicap palm assistsystem of claim 3 wherein the concave portion of the first shell, andwherein the concave portion of the second shell further include afriction material.
 6. The handicap palm assist system of claim 3 whereinthe outer surface of at least one of the first shell and the outersurface of the second shell includes a surface treatment to enhancegripping of the shell.
 7. The handicap palm assist system of claim 1where the first shell and the second shell are asymmetrical.
 8. Thehandicap palm assist system of claim 7 wherein one the first shell andthe second shell includes a handle.
 9. The handicap palm assist systemof claim 3 wherein at least one of the first shell and the second shellincludes a screw opening therein, the screw opening accepting a setscrew which can be tightened so that one end of the set screw contactsthe hand rail.
 10. A method for adding to the assistance provided by ahandrail, the method comprising: placing a first concave surface of afirst shell portion onto a handrail; placing a second concave surface ofa second shell portion onto a handrail; and connecting the first shellto the second shell to form a handicap palm assist unit so that thefirst shell and the second shell are substantially immovable withrespect to the handrail.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprisingthe step of adjusting the position of the first shell and second shellalong the length of the handrail.
 12. The method of claim 10 furthercomprising the step of adjusting the attachment point and position ofthe first shell and second shell along the length of the handrail toprovide additional leverage for a user when using the handrail.
 13. Themethod of claim 10 wherein the first shell portion and the second shellportion are substantially symmetrical.
 14. The method of claim 10wherein the first shell portion and the second shell portion areasymmetrical.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the larger of the firstshell portion and the second shell portion is placed on the handrail toprovide additional leverage for a user.
 16. The method of claim 14wherein the larger of the first shell portion is placed above the secondshell portion on the handrail.
 17. The method of claim 14 wherein thelarger of the first shell portion is placed below the second shellportion on the handrail.
 18. The handicap palm assist system of claim 3further comprising a plurality of the first shells and a correspondingplurality of second shells sized to removably attach to the handrail.